Legitimization of hemp
is a dangerous precedent

Hawaii is one of several states considering legalization of industrial strains of hemp. There are many legitimate uses for this versatile plant, and with pineapple and sugar struggling to survive, it seems appropriate to look at alternative crops. Unfortunately, hemp's close connection to marijuana poses a unique set of concerns.

If truckloads of legal hemp are allowed to become common sights on Hawaii's roads, how will law-enforcement agencies be able to quickly distinguish it from marijuana? Would this not create a perfect cover, taking much of the risk and pressure off of growers and sellers? What would then prevent this from resulting in lower cost, increased availability and greater accessibility of marijuana to children?

Which of hemp's uses is so vital to our islands that we would dare subject our children to such increased risk? Surely, it would not be the pet food, drab clothing, tasteless cookies or the inferior paper.

I urge everyone to contact our legislators, asking them to reject this piece of legislation and to see it for what it would create: a foot in the door toward increased acceptance of marijuana in our society.

Dale Crabtree
Iao School Teacher
Puunene, Maui

Bart Kane has some gall
misdirecting the blame

State Librarian Bart Kane had the nerve to accuse library workers of causing his outsourcing mess. My sympathy goes out to the many hard-working and dedicated library employees who have been railroaded by him.

At least you were not alone in allowing Kane to proceed with his ill-conceived outsourcing. The Board of Education needs to wake up and turn in its rubber stamps for more critical thinking. The Legislature and governor should reconsider their past support of Kane.

Public users have long known what a mess libraries were in the past year. Our elected decision-makers need to start using libraries again to see how few new books or magazines are available.

Many of the computers are junky, and what's with the confusing software they run?

Susanne Peterson
Kailua

Bill collector will wreak havoc
on book borrowers

Without so much as a warning letter from the state library to each over-limit book borrower, I've read that a bill collector will be brought in and an additional $10 fee added to fines of more than $10.

Where is the fairness in changing the rules on people with existing fines, some of which were assessed when libraries allowed up to a $100 fine limit? Sounds like another "fine" mess courtesy of the state librarian.

Thank goodness that invasion of privacy survey that state librarian Bart Kane sent out a few years ago was invalidated by the attorney general or our most private information would be available to the bill collectors.

Consider going to the state ombudsman if you're threatened with a bad credit report over library fines. I doubt libraries will even receive the predicted $3 million in outstanding fines after losing a big part to the bill collector's cut.

B. Dertien

Column on hugs, kisses
shows writer's lack of them

How Diane Chang belabors her points (March 7, "Hello, I'm a woman - or did you notice?"). It wasn't long ago that she was ready to "pin" a 6-year-old boy for kissing a wee girl. Now this!

Most human problems stem from a lack of hugs. One of the most gracious "share with the world qualities" that people in the Aloha State have is the ability to be demonstrative and freely give hugs. To touch is human, and as necessary to wholeness and well-being as water and food.

Many men, particularly in this state, are quite comfortable with hugging or kissing other males in greeting. Nobody really gives it a second thought.

Chang misses the point of all those hugs and kisses. It's not a woman thing at all, it's a human thing. I hate to bring it up, but she could do with a whole lot more hugs and busses herself.

Myrna Rosa

Money-giving cheapens
beauty and grace of hula

On March 1, my husband and I were in the lovely shopping complex of the Aloha Tower Marketplace, where youth groups entertain visitors with Hawaiian song and dance. About 7 p.m., a group began and one young girl came forward to do an interpretive hula. People immediately began to walk up to her and place money in her bosom. This practice continued throughout the dance.

It was a most unnecessary and distasteful display! How this was allowed to get started is questionable.

The program is in keeping with Hawaiian culture, and the young people are obviously enjoying their participation. Must we let tawdriness creep into the act?

Joan and George Arp
Rochester, N.Y.

---

Same-sex archive